THE COUNCIL has been accused of "shameful neglect" after the wall of a derelict property collapsed, narrowly missing young children playing nearby.

Residents in Poolbank Street, Rhodes have been campaigning since July to get action taken to make safe the derelict house at number 22A.

Nick Melling, the local Homewatch co-ordinator said: "This empty property is now causing grave concerns for the safety of local residents. The authorities were warned in writing in July that a hairline crack existed on the garden wall of the house, it was in a dangerous condition and could cause fatalities.

"We sent letters to local councillors, the Chief Superintendent of police at Rochdale and the property owners. The council had this wall inspected and passed it as being safe. Shortly afterwards the wall collapsed just yards away from where five young children were playing. They could easily have been killed. We are horrified by the shameful neglect of the authorities."

He said the property remained in a dire state of repairs and large holes had now appeared in the access path that runs at the side of the property. which had not been secured properly.

"The police have been called out at least 10 times to my knowledge and on one occasion the fire brigade had to be called out because an arson attack had taken place. Residents are now genuinely concerned that another arson attack could cause the entire row to catch fire.

"In addition to this litter has been dumped outside the property and the environs now look like a bombsite. Councillor Donna Martin has assisted to some measure, but we feel we are being left to cope with this problem and no one appears to be doing anything pragmatically. Who would have accepted responsibility had a child been seriously maimed or killed?"

In a letter to the Homewatch groups Councillor Martin said she had been given assurances that steps were in hand to board up the property.